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Kimo’s Vegas

MANY OF US have fond memories and funny stories about the Stardust casino. From its iconic facade to its historic connections with “the mob,” the house that John Factor (Jake the Barber) built (or more precisely, finished) was home away from home for many Hawaii folks. In fact, the last roll of the dice before they permanently closed the joint was made by Hawaii resident Jimmy Kumihiro. Stardust memories live again in a free online social gaming site that is accessible through Facebook but limited only to the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. No worries, strawberries, a USA version of the vintage Vegas-inspired site is on the way.

THE WORLD’S worst-kept secret is now official … Britney Spears has added her name to the growing list of Vegas headliners. Beginning Dec. 27, you can see “Britney: Piece of Me” at the Planet Hollywood. Her per-performance payday is rumored to be around $300,000, and that should help her secure the numero uno spot (hana hou) as the Forbes Top Female Earner in the music biz.

ROBIN LEACH IS rumorporting (his rumors always seem to come to fruition) that local boy Bruno Mars will be the next superstar name on a Vegas marquee … next stop Super Bowl XLVIII.

THE STATE OF Nevada approved a bill that legalizes the use and distribution of medical marijuana in Nevada. This created a gold rush among folks hoping to profit from the new pakalolo laws. But the cool heads at the City Council imposed a moratorium on applications, permits and licenses for medical marijuana-based businesses until they can figure out how to implement such things. So the earliest you can expect to get some Mary Jane of the medicinal kind is April 1 (seriously) … All this writing is giving me the munchies …

CAVEMEN, CAVE-WOMEN and two-legged carnivores, do yourself a favor and make a point to check out Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak in the Mirage Hotel Casino. It’s not the most expensive steak on the Strip, but it is the latest tasty mark by a James Beard Award-winning food craftsman. Meat and fire… ummm good.

AT THE ENCORE … restaurant Andrea’s is named after Steve Wynn’s wife. The eyes in the eatery’s logo and on the walls actually are her eyes …

EVERYONE LOSES … Let’s hope it doesn’t come to this, but 50,000 Las Vegas bartenders, maids and food servers are without contract and prepping for a strike.